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Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter From Birmingham Jail

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Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. He had a dream that was shared by so many citizens of the United States, both black and white. His dream included equality and justice for people of all races. In order to make this dream a reality, Martin Luther King Jr. took a stand and encouraged others to do the same. He took a stand so that all people could experience liberty, happiness, and kindness. King took a stand for equality by initiating peaceful protests, leading by example, and influencing others to do the same. King was born in 1929 in the segregated South, and attended elementary school with other African American children. They were not yet allowed to go to school with white children. Although things were challenging for African …show more content…

In 1963, despite statements warning against it, King led a march of about 1,000 activists in Birmingham, Alabama, a city that was filled with segregation and violence against black people ("King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail"). King was quickly caught and thrown into jail. While in jail he came across a letter in the newspaper that criticized his actions and called them unwise. In response he wrote one of his most famous documents "A Letter from Birmingham Jail". Because he received so much of it, King rarely answered criticism against his ideas, however, he decided to respond to this letter because he felt the writers were good people who were being sincere in their concerns ("Letter from Birmingham City …show more content…

The Proclamation gave hope to millions of black slaves. However it never quite fulfilled its promises. Although the document was meant to free slaves, King brought it the attention of the congregation that it was a hundred years later and they were still not free. They were still not free from segregation, discrimination, and poverty. He states, "The Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land". The slaves had believed that the Emancipation Proclamation would give them the justice they deserved, but it certainly did not ("I Have a Dream"). Next, he mention two other documents that did not fulfill their promises. The words of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, King believed, should apply to all people in America. This meaning that all people should be granted the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America had not honored these rights when it came to people of color. He goes on to say that the black people have waited long enough for their rights, and they will not wait any longer. He wanted an immediate change and he would not rest until it happened ("I Have a

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